Learning to Partner With Life

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue..." (Proverbs 18:21)
"The mouth of the righteous is a well of life..." (Proverbs 10:11)
"A wholesome tongue is a tree of life..." (Proverbs 15:4)
Have you ever considered the power of your words?

According to these wonderful gems from the book of Proverbs, along with other verses found in the Bible, we see the amazing power behind the words that we speak. I carefully chose the portions of Scripture that focused on the positive rather than the negative. The reason for that is quite simple. Most of us have endured the pain of hurtful words. Many have had to overcome word curses, words spoken out of season, or the lack of encouraging words. I want us to learn how to partner with life.

Have you ever seen a child excited to share something with their parents only to be struck down with words of discouragement? Not only have I witnessed this, I have taken part in it. Whether it is purposeful or not, we need to understand that our words can give life or they can bring death. I have also seen people in a church setting that have not partnered with life. Instead...through our condemnation and shame we have kept people from rising up to be who God has created them to be.

Here's what I am learning:
Most people that we encounter don't need words of fresh condemnation or shame. They already have plenty of it. What they need is a fresh affirmation of God's love. When you look at the life/ministry of Jesus, you never see Him trashing those who haven't lived up to their potential. I often think of the woman who was caught in the act of adultery. Jesus' words to her? "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more." This is one of the greatest examples of how we can speak life into those we encounter.

Just the other day I was talking with someone from our congregation. They had went though a lot of difficulty in life. They had made plenty of bad choices over the course of a couple of years. It was in this moment of sharing that they had recognized the position they had placed themselves in. The light bulb had come on and they were now able to see the choices that needed to be made. I simply said, "Well...you didn't commit the unpardonable sin. God has enough grace to handle you." Those few words spoken at the right time (and in the right season) have produced life. The individual called me and thanked me for never condemning or shaming them. It brought great encouragement to know that in that moment I partnered with life.

We have to learn how to speak to the solution rather than the problems of life. Most of the people around us know what is wrong. They simply don't know how to come out of it. God uses our words...at the right time...in the right season...to encourage, edify, and comfort those in need. The question is whether or not we will partner with Jesus and say "Neither do I condemn you..."

Learn how to speak life to everyone you encounter. Allow your words to be a well of life for someone who is struggling. Be a positive voice into all the negative around them. And watch what God accomplishes. Rather than speaking to the hopelessness and discouragement, learn how to point to the hope we have in Christ. I am discovering that most people who are going through difficulty have actually positioned themselves to experience a greater awareness of God's activity. You will be amazed at how the words "I think you are getting ready to experience God's faithfulness" can bring great encouragement to their life. How is this possible? It allows them to stop focusing on the problems and look to the solution.

Proverbs has it right. Life and death are in the power of the tongue. I hope you will start learning how to partner with life.

Determine in your heart to be encouraging.
Make the decision to speak hope into every situation.
Seek to discern the Lord's heart for every person.